When textile engineer Colin Smith decided to set up a creel design and manufacturing business in 1974, it was his partnership with wife and co-founder Janet that made the idea a reality. Together, they took a leap of faith, working long hours at their family home to get the business off the ground while at the same time raising two children, growing their reputation customer by customer and building a team of people around them.
Texkimp, as it was then known, began manufacturing fibre unwinding equipment for the traditional textile industries before moving into the technical fibre industries in the 1980s with the first manufacturers and processors of carbon fibre. Today, Cygnet Texkimp retains its place as the leading independent creel manufacturer in the world, with creels accounting for 50% of annual sales.
At Cygnet Texkimp’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Colin dedicated his speech to Janet:
“This business would not be here without my wife who worked at the heart of it alongside me from day one. Her unending support has been the most fantastic driving force for me and for the business. Her openness, tenacity and willingness to make sacrifices kept us on track at the hardest times and inspired us to be the best we could be. As we celebrate 50 years of business, Janet and I are also about to celebrate 62 years of marriage. I’d like to thank her for being my rock, in business and in life.”
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